Skipton Town Centre Cycle Race - The Skipton Criterium

A spectacular flagship cycling race is set to speed through the streets of Skipton on the evening of Thursday July 2.

The Skipton Criterium aims to attract pro and elite cyclists back to the town following the tremendous success of the Tour de France Grand Depart which whizzed through last year.

There will also be an opportunity for fun, community races involving local adults and children on the closed circuit ahead of the main race.

The event, being organised by Craven District Council, will help create a lasting legacy from the Tour de France, which gave Yorkshire an economic boost to the tune of £102 million.

The route proposed for the race is a short circuit along Mill Bridge, Water Street, Coach Street and Swadford Street, with the finish straight on the Tour de France route up Skipton High Street.

Councillor Simon Myers, Craven District Council's lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: "We want to help recreate the community spirit that we've seen in Skipton recently, both through the Tour de France passing through in 2014 and the Olympic Torch in 2012.

"This town centre cycle race will help keep up the momentum of interest in cycling, provide a fun event for the community and attract spectators and participants to the area."

The event provides an important opportunity to test the course and venue and will be run as a pilot in 2015 with a view to taking it forward as a three-year project. It is hoped it could then be included in the British Cycling Elite Series. Similar Town Centre races have proved successful in Otley, llkley and Colne.

Craven District Council is currently receiving bids for the event management of Skipton Criterium. An announcement will be made shortly regarding the chosen organisation.

The event has been registered with British Cycling and a proposed 1km route around the town has been approved as fit for purpose.

The Skipton Criterium will join two other major cycling events taking place in the area this summer. The Tour de Yorkshire takes place from May 1 to May 3, passing south of Skipton on May 3 as the route travels from Wakefield to Leeds. Le Petit Tour, a cyclo-sportive run in collaboration with Craven District Council and Skipton Cycling Club, is taking place on Sunday May 31, and offers cyclists the chance to cover much of the Grand Depart route. See more at www.lepetitgranddepart.co.uk